the 212 project

Intro to the book of Romans

Andy Danhof — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:22:31 +0000

Romans is the focus book for the month of April. It is the longest and most systematically reasoned of Paul’s letters. Paul announces its theme in 1:16-17: the gospel is God’s power for salvation, because it shows us that the righteousness of God is through faith for all who believe. Paul explains the need for justification through faith because of sin (1:16-4:25). He then spells out the results of justification by faith in terms of both present experience and future hope (5:1-8:39). In the next three chapters, he expresses his sorrow that many of his fellow Israelites have not embraced the gospel, and he wrestles with the theological implications of this (chs. 9-11). He concludes by descriging how the gospel should affect one’s everyday life (chs. 12-16). Paul wrote his letter to Rome in about A.D. 57.

March Focus Book: Genesis

Andy Danhof — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:15:14 +0000

The next book in the 5 for 5 challenge is the book of Genesis. As a reminder the 5 for 5 challenge is a challenge to read your Bible at least 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, if you want to read more, awesome! Each month we will focus on a different book of the Bible, and remember that we are not trying to check off a list that we have read a certain number of chapters and verses. We are simply spending time reading God’s word. What follows is a brief introduction to the book of Genesis researched using The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck as well as The Ryrie Study Bible-New International Version published by Moody Press in Chicago, Illinois and The Journaling Bible-English Standard Version published by Crossway Bibles in Wheaton, Illinois.

The word genesis means “origins” or “beginnings” and as its name implies, Genesis is about beginnings. Genesis tells us that God created everything that exists. It shows that God is both the Creator and the Ruler of all creation. But it also tells of humanity’s tragic fall into sin and death, and of God’s unfolding plan of redemption through his covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Genesis includes some of the most memorable stories in the Bible, beginning with Adam and Eve (chs. 1-4), continuing through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and ending with the life of Joseph (chs. 37-50), who died before 1600 B.C. But more than memorable stories of the beginning of our universe and our world, Genesis also contains important theological themes such as the doctrine of the living, personal God; the doctrine of man made in the image of God, then of sinful man; the anticipation of a Redeemer(3:15); and the covenant promises made to the nation Israel (12:1-3; 15:18-21).

Traditionally Moses has been recognized as the author of Genesis, writing sometime after the Exodus from Egypt. Moses would have had both oral and written records of early history, which he used under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to write about events that predated his own life.

The book of Genesis is an exciting book as it sets the stage for the rest of the Bible, telling us God’s plan for his creation. Genesis reveals the nature of God as Creator and Redeemer; the value of a human life – created in God’s image and for his purpose; the terrible consequences of disobedience and sin – separating man from God; and the wonderful promise of salvation and forgiveness through the coming Messiah. I hope you enjoy focusing on the book of Genesis for the month of March as part of the 5 for 5 challenge. Be sure to check back for updated posts here on the blog from all of the Campus Life staff. Feel free to leave your own comments, questions, and observations regarding the reading. We look forward to discovering new beginnings with you as we read through the book of beginnings.

~Andy

Acts 2:42-47

Andy Danhof — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:57:20 +0000

For those of you following along with the 5-for5 challenge we are spending the month of February in the book of Acts. One thing that struck me in my reading today came at the end of chapter 2 where it talks about the fellowship of believers and the early Christian church. Verse 45 says that they were selling their possessions and giving to anybody as they had need. We talk a lot about Christian charity and helping someone out in a time of need, but how often do we follow up this talk with action. Its easy to talk about helping each other out, but talk is cheap. It starts to get difficult when we start giving things up to help someone out who needs help. Maybe the next time we go to download the latest album from iTunes or go to buy the latest in cell phone technology we should stop and think about the model that the early Christian church set for us, perhaps there is something better that we can be doing with that money.

I hope you’re keeping up with the 5-for-5 challenge. The Word of God has great power to change lives for the better, but you have to read it for its power to be evident in your life. Feel free to post comments or questions or insights from your own reading.

~Andy

New Month, New Book

Andy Danhof — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:24:26 +0000

It is a new month, which means that we have a new book to focus on for the 5-for-5 challenge. This month’s book of the Bible is Acts. Remember, we’re not reading just to be able to say that we’ve read Acts and now we can check that off our list, we’re reading for comprehension; and to allow the power of God to work in us towards positive life change. So take your time. If you read one verse for 5 minutes because something in that verse grabbed your attention, great. If you read 20 verses in that 5 minutes because God is speaking to you through that chunk of verses, great. The point is to just read the Bible for at least 5 minutes a day 5 days a week.

We are also going to be officially kick starting this blog with multiple updates weekly from our staff here at Campus Life (Jim, Denise, Andy, Mark & Sara Jean) with what we are learning as we follow along with the 5-for-5 challenge. Please check back often and feel free to leave question or comments and share with us how you’re doing in your challenge. But don’t let this blog become part of your reading because the challenge is about reading your Bible, not a blog, book or commentary. We’ll see you later and we hope that you keep on with your challenge.

~Andy

Welcome to the 212 project blog

the212project — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:33:15 +0000

Welcome to the 212 project blog!! If you’re not sure what the 212 project is check out the “About” page. Our prayer is that through this you will find hope and life in the words of the Bible. We don’t want you to become dependent on this blog, or a book, or a pastor or Christian teacher. Hebrews 4:12 says that “…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow…” Only the Word of God, the Bible, has the power to transform people from the inside out, to change us for the better. If we want to see positive change in this world; if we want to know what real hope is then we need to stop “conforming to the patterns of this world” and allow ourselves “to be transformed by the renewing of [our] mind[s]” (Romans 12:2). That transformation can only come through the Word of God.

We hope to see you around as our contributors post their thoughts on this blog. Please feel free to interact with us and share your comments and questions (which will be reviewed for offensive language and posted at our discretion). We hope that you will check out the 5 for 5 challenge and join us as we work our way through the Bible.